Having Peace in The Midst of The Storm Within

28102010

Over the last few weeks we have looked at gentleness as we discussed the blog topic “yielding for the common good”; we have looked at meekness as we discussed “who really IS the master “and we looked at humility when we looked at how to have “humility before honor”. We even blended all together last week as we looked at “be careful not to judge.” Pretty much what this whole talk over the last weeks about gentleness, meekness and humility boils down to is learning how to have peace in the midst of the storm within.

The one thing that we all must learn is that when people take us there and you are ready to lose it, go postal, be pissed or whatever it is that you do. You know what I am talking about when your are fuming, your finger is pointed and your neck is on the edge of beginning to roll? Well instead of acting out of that rage and saying or doing things that you can’t take back, we must learn how to find that peace in the midst the storm within. We must find our own special way to maintain calm and patience in the midst of a possible annoyance, aggravation, irritation and/or frustration. We must stop and recognize who we are and not let what someone is doing or something that has happened to alter our blissful state or to steal your joy.

This one is hard to do! You see there will always be some hater in the midst that is going to try and take you there. Take you to your upset place because you are doing well or at least trying to. All it really takes to steal your peace is to push that one button; we all know what that button is that makes us loose our minds. For me that button makes me go all South Central on folks (for those that don’t know what I mean, I am from South Central LA so what I am saying is that is when I get ghetto…LOL) and the key to living a life of gentleness which dictates outward in our actions and becomes humbleness as we let go of the ego that makes you get offended; we have got to learn to hold our peace. It is that same gentleness and meekness we have talked about developing over the last weeks that prevents us from becoming insulted, hurt or upset. How you may ask? You see gentleness is a state of mind that acts like a roadblock by not allowing our joy to be altered by circumstance. It is a meek disposition that is displayed by an unaltered inner peace, despite the situation.

So how do you get to this point? First we must all realize and acknowledge that we live in an imperfect world, full of imperfect people. Yes we each are imperfect, so are our friends, mates, bosses and family. With that said disappointments, setbacks, frustrations etc… are a natural part of life. If this is the case and we know that in life we will have a little sun and a little rain, when the storm starts to rage in our life, we can learn to smile in the face of it. Knowing that this too shall pass and that after the storm comes a rainbow. Therefore, with this healthy positive outlook, we are able to keep ourselves from becoming negative about ourselves and the situation or circumstance we are in. This is indeed what the bible talks about when it speaks of the Proverbs 31 woman. A woman who brings God’s peace and perspective to all she does.

“Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.” – Proverbs 31:25

I know ya’ll are saying, what the heck is Nicole trying to say! Well what I am really saying is that we must learn to roll with the punches, if we fall get back up but also learn the lessons from your fall without becoming stuck right there on the ground, never to get up. After all how do you get back up and walk again if you are so focused on looking at the ground. Yes we must keep our head up and let nothing turn us around. How we do this is by learning to have self control – that is the next topic we will begin with pearl #9 next week. For now, I leave you with this thought for the week, in what ways can you create peace inside of you that will not allow situation or circumstance to take your happiness – how can you get to happy and stay there?

“Acceptance of others, their looks, their behaviors, their beliefs, bring you an inner peace and tranquility – instead of anger and resentment.” – Unknown

“Happiness comes from spiritual wealth, not material wealth… Happiness comes from giving, not getting. If we try hard to bring happiness to others, we cannot stop it from coming to us also. To get joy, we must give it, and to keep joy, we must scatter.” – John Templeton

“Inner peace can be reached only when we practice forgiveness. Forgiveness is letting go of the past, and is therefore the means for correcting our misperceptions.” – Gerald Jampolsky

“Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.” – John F. Kennedy